As in Indiana and Arkansas, corporate America now wields clout on social issues

The controversy over the state’s religious rights measure signed into law last week has been striking for the parade of well-known businesses that not only joined in the opposition to the law but took the lead in voicing their disapproval…

The surprising assertiveness from the corporate leaders reflects shifting public attitudes in general and among younger adults in particular on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. “There’s now an expectation from consumers that companies are going to act as citizens of the world in a different way, that they’re going to take responsibility for things that are outside the direct customer-investor model,” said Adlai Wertman, professor at USC’s Marshall School of Business.